Melbourne is famous for its ‘four seasons in one day’ weather. As we think about the changing seasons on our calendar and in nature, we realise that God works through the seasons in every area of our lives. From the very beginning, God established the principle of the seasons (refer to Genesis 1:14; 8:22. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2. Psalm 1:3 and Galatians 6:9). God built rhythm and variety into creation. He didn't make a static, unchanging world. He created a world of movement, cycles, and seasons. Nothing stays the same. Life is not one long single season. This is true for us as individuals, for families, for groups, for organisations and businesses, and ever for churches.
A Tale of Two Farmers
Imagine two farmers starting this year with the same opportunities, the same, and the same potential. The first person decides to just let life happen. They hope for good things, wish for success, dream about change but they never plan, never take action, and ever invest in growth. They watch the seasons roll by but never plough, never sow, never water... and, of course, never reap. The second farmer decides to actively pursue what God has placed in their heart. They dream, they plan, they take action, they persevere through difficulties and, in time, enjoy a harvest. By the end of the year, these two farmers’ lives look completely different. Why? Not luck, favouritism, or chance. But choices. In life, we usually reap what we sow. Sadly, a lot of people today live like the first farmer - waiting, wishing, hoping, but not doing the things that lead to growth.
Making the Most of the Seasons of Life
God has begun a good work in each of our lives, and he is committed to carrying that through to completion (Philippians 1:6). The question is whether or not we are co-operating with that work. Any beautiful garden or bountiful harvest requires us to make the most of the seasons of life. Of course, we can be in a different season in different areas of our life – our work or career, our relationships, our ministry, our finances, and our personal well-being. Let’s take a tour through the seasons:
WINTER
In nature, winter can be a very cold, icy, and bleak season. Not much seems to be happening let alone growing. Everything is inactive, at least on the surface. You could be in a ‘winter’ if you're feeling stuck, if God seems silent, if you are waiting for something to change, if you feel like you're in a holding pattern, if you're between opportunities, if you’re recovering from a setback or a disappointment, or if you sense God is reshaping your vision, but the future is unclear and uncertain. Everyone goes through winters! Winters have a purpose. Winters are a time for dreaming (Acts 2:17). What does God want to do in your life? What gifts, passions, and desires are inside of you waiting to be expressed? Don’t let your current circumstances limit God’s vision for your future. Also, don’t be so busy in the speed and busyness of your life (the clock) that you fail to stop and consider the direction you are heading (the compass). Take this time aside and ‘climb a tree’, as it were, and consider where your life is heading. Only reflection turns our many life experiences into insight for the future. Winter is also a time for planning (Proverbs 21:5). What specific steps will move you toward your vision? What goals could you set for the remainder of this year? What habits do you need to develop? God is not only a visionary; God is a great strategic planner. Consider the week of creation. Oh, the power of a vision and a plan to make it a reality. Don’t waste your winters!
SPRING
Spring is when everything comes alive. The air changes. Colour returns to the world. Hope rises. In our lives, Spring is a time to move from dreaming to doing, from planning to planting. You are in Spring if you have a clear sense of direction, vision is clear and new ideas are forming, you're starting something new, you feel energised and motivated, opportunities are opening up, you're taking steps of faith, and things are on the move... again. Spring is a time for taking action and planting seeds. Stop procrastinating or putting off decisions you need to make. Don’t spend ‘one more night with the frogs’ (see Exodus 8:8-10). Remember that what you tolerate, you will never change and many problems are a decision waiting to happen. Take action beginning today, without waiting for perfect conditions (see James 1:22. Philippians 2:12-13. Ecclesiastes 11:4). Seeds don’t look impressive. They are small and somewhat ordinary, but your future harvest grows out of the seeds you plant today. Small, consistent actions compound over time.
SUMMER
Summer is usually the longest and hottest season. The hard work is intense. Growth is happening, but it's not yet harvest time. This is where many people quit. You are in a Summer if you're in the middle of a long process, you're working hard but not seeing results yet, you're maintaining disciplines and routines but you're facing obstacles, resistance, and setbacks, or you're tired and tempted to quit or give up. Summer is a time for cultivating and enduring. There is no substitute for consistent effort (1 Corinthians 15:58). Summer requires showing up every day, doing the work even when you don't feel like it, maintaining your commitments even the feelings are gone, and staying focused on your goal. Summer also has storms, which can be unexpected setbacks, financial pressures, relationship conflicts, health challenges, or doubts and discouragement. The important thing is to not quit before the harvest (Galatians 6:9). Think of any long project in your life — getting an education, building a business or career, establishing a home or garden, raising children, building a ministry, or developing good health. These things don't grow overnight or through occasional spurts of effort and enthusiasm. They grow through steady, faithful, sometimes monotonous perseverance. Most progress in life is through a ‘long obedience in the same direction’.
AUTUMN
Autumn is a beautiful season. The colours change. The days cool. The harvest arrives. The time to reap what you've sown. It's a season of beauty, abundance, and celebration. This is what you've been working toward. You are in Autumn is you're seeing results from past efforts, you're experiencing breakthrough or success, you're enjoying the fruit of your labour (see Psalm 126:5-6), you're able to help others from your abundance, and you sense God's blessing and favour. Autumn is a time for harvesting and celebrating. Thank God for his faithfulness in your life and enjoy your harvest. Then share with others our of God’s goodness (2 Corinthains 9:6).
Conclusion: Whatever season you find yourself in, accept that season and its purpose, and then do what that season requires. God wants you to succeed and bear much fruit (Jeremiah 29:11. John 15:16). You can experience the joy of harvest, if you make the most of the seasons now.
Discussion Questions
1. Which season do you identity with most at the moment? Why?
2. Have you ever been ‘stuck’ in a season that felt like it was never going to change? Maybe a long, cold winter or a long, hot gruelling summer? What was that like and what did you learn?
3. Seasons can change in a moment. Share a time when you experienced a significant change in the seasons of your life. What happened and what was the result?
4. Groups can go through seasons too, including churches. What season could CityLife be in right now? What is God calling us to focus on and do at this time in the history of the church?
5. Finish with prayer that each of us can discern then make the most of the seasons in our lives.